Are you a fan of K-pop and eager to learn Korean? As you’re singing along to your favorite K-pop hits, these popular Korean media can be powerful tools for mastering the language.
This guide will show you how to effectively learn Korean through both K-pop, featuring structured learning methods and inspiring personal stories.
This article includes phrases written in Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. If you can’t read Hangeul yet, it’s possible to learn in about 90 minutes, so what are you waiting for?
We’ve included a FREE PDF version of this lesson that you can take with you on the go. Check it out below:
Let’s get started!
Contents
- 1 Quick Summary
- 2 How to Learn Korean with Kpop
- 3 Study Korean With Kpop Idols
- 3.1 BTS – “Spring Day”
- 3.2 IU – “Through the Night”
- 3.3 TWICE – “TT”
- 3.4 iKON – “Love Scenario”
- 3.5 BIGBANG – 꽃 길 (Flower Road)
- 3.6 Black Pink – 뚜두뚜두 (Ddu-du ddu-du)
- 3.7 Roy Kim – 그때 헤어지면 돼 (Only then)
- 3.8 BtoB – 너 없인 안 된다 (Only One For Me)
- 3.9 Hyuna – 빨개요 (Red)
- 3.10 Sistar – Touch My Body
- 3.11 Exo – 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)
- 3.12 Miss A – I Caught Ya
- 3.13 4 Minute – 미쳐 (Crazy)
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 5 What to learn next
- 6 Wrap Up
Quick Summary
- ✅K-pop songs are a powerful tool for learning Korean.
- ✅They combine engaging melodies with practical language lessons, helping to memorize vocabulary and understand sentence structures.
- ✅There are interactive methods to enhance learning, such as studying without subtitles to boost listening skills and incorporating lyrics into daily language practice for better retention and enjoyment.
How to Learn Korean with Kpop
So, how do you learn Korean with K-pop? It’s actually very easy. A lot of bonafide K-pop lovers and language learners will tell you that the first Korean words and phrases that they learned were actually lyrics from their favorite K-pop song!
Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can use K-Pop to improve your Korean skils.
1. Choose the Right Content
When selecting K-pop songs for language learning, it’s important to pick tracks that are easy to follow and full of useful language. Here’s how to choose the best ones:
Clear Vocals
Choose songs where the artist’s pronunciation is clear and easy to understand. Ballads and slower songs, like those by IU or Paul Kim, are great because they allow you to hear each word clearly.
Simple Lyrics
Look for songs with simple, repetitive lyrics. Songs that repeat phrases (like choruses) help reinforce vocabulary. Examples include BTS’s “Spring Day” or iKON’s “Love Scenario.”
Everyday Phrases
Pick songs that use common phrases related to emotions, greetings, and everyday situations. This will give you words and sentences you can use in real life.
2. Break Down Lyrics and Dialogues
To understand and translate K-pop lyrics, follow these simple steps:
Use Translation Tools
Start by using apps like Papago or Google Translate to get a basic understanding of each line. This will give you a quick translation of the words.
Look Up Vocabulary
Use dictionaries like Naver Dictionary to break down unfamiliar words. This tool provides meanings, pronunciation guides, and example sentences.
Analyze Grammar
Once you know the words, focus on how they’re used in sentences. Resources like Talk to Me in Korean or How to Study Korean can help you understand the grammar and sentence structure.
Compare Translations
Check official translations, if available, to see how professional translators interpret the song. This can help you learn more about context and natural language use.
3. Practice Pronunciation
To improve your pronunciation, start by mimicking how K-pop idols sing. Choose songs with clear vocals and listen closely to how the idols pronounce words. Here are a few tips:
Listen and Repeat
Play one line of the song, pause, and repeat it out loud, trying to match the pronunciation as closely as possible. Apps like Smule can help you practice singing along.
Break it Down
Focus on small sections, breaking each line down syllable by syllable. Pay attention to tricky sounds like ㄹ (r/l) or ㅂ (b/p), and practice them repeatedly.
Use Vocal Exercises
Warm up with basic Korean vowel and consonant sounds before singing to improve clarity.
Record Yourself
Record your voice while singing along, then compare it to the original. This will help you identify areas where your pronunciation differs and improve your accuracy.
4. Build Vocabulary
You can expand your Korean vocabulary by categorizing words and phrases from K-pop songs. Here’s how to do it:
Greetings and Introductions
Look for simple phrases like “안녕하세요” (Hello | annyeonghaseyo) or “사랑해” (I love you | saranghae) in the lyrics.
Emotions
Songs often focus on emotions like love, sadness, or joy. Create a list of words such as “기쁘다” (happy | gippeuda), “슬프다” (sad | seulpeuda), or “고맙다” (thankful | gomabda).
Everyday Conversations
Identify phrases related to daily life, like “보고 싶어” (I miss you | bogosipeo) or “어떻게 지내?” (How have you been? | eotteoke jinae).
Categorize Vocabulary
Group words into categories (e.g., greetings, emotions, daily life) and use apps like Quizlet to create flashcards for easy review and memorization.
5. Integrate with Formal Learning
While K-pop songs tend to be a fun way to learn Korean, combining it with more structured resources is essential for deeper understanding:
Textbooks
Use textbooks like Integrated Korean or Korean Grammar in Use to strengthen your grammar and sentence structure. This will help you understand why certain phrases are used in songs.
Courses
Consider enrolling in courses like 90 Day Korean or Talk to Me in Korean to get a more formal education. These programs often cover the basics of grammar and vocabulary that will complement what you learn from K-pop.
Language Apps
Pair your song-based learning with apps like Duolingo or Memrise. These apps offer structured lessons that reinforce vocabulary and grammar you encounter in K-pop.
Study Korean With Kpop Idols
One of the most effective ways to learn Korean is to study Kpop song lyrics.
The great thing about this study method is that song lyrics are easy to memorize. If you learn Korean with Kpop, then the new grammar or vocabulary that you pick up from the songs can help speed up your Korean learning and also make learning more fun.
We’ll give you a brief introduction to these Kpop idols and some of their easy Kpop songs to sing and learn Korean from. Let’s do this!
BTS – “Spring Day”
This song features clear, slow-paced lyrics that are easy to follow. The repetitive phrases and everyday expressions like “보고 싶어” (I miss you) make it perfect for beginners. Let’s look at this line from the song:
보고 싶다
(bogo sipda)
I miss you
- 보고 (bogo) – This comes from the verb 보다 (boda), meaning “to see.” In this case, it’s used to express missing someone.
- 싶다 (sipda) – This is the verb ending used to express desire or longing. When combined with 보고, it translates to “I want to see,” or more naturally in English, “I miss you.”
IU – “Through the Night”
A ballad with simple vocabulary and phrases that focus on emotions and relationships. IU’s clear pronunciation helps with listening and mimicking Korean sounds. Let’s look at this line from the song:
사랑한다는 말이에요
(saranghandaneun mal-ieyo)
I love you
- 사랑 (sarang) – This means “love.”
- 한다는 (handaneun) – A form of the verb 하다 (hada), which means “to do,” here used to convey something being said or expressed.
- 말이에요 (mal-ieyo) – This means “it means” or “it’s a word,” and in this context, it explains the meaning of the word “사랑.”
TWICE – “TT”
This song has repetitive lyrics and a catchy chorus that reinforces basic phrases and expressions. It’s great for learning simple sentences and emotions. Let’s break down a useful phrase from the song:
내가 아닌 것 같애
(naega anin geot gatae)
I don’t feel like myself
- 내가 (naega) – This means “I” or “me” in the subject form.
- 아닌 것 같애 (anin geot gatae) – This phrase means “it doesn’t seem like” or “it’s not like.” Together, the whole phrase translates to “I don’t feel like myself” or “I feel like I’m not myself.”
iKON – “Love Scenario”
This song uses relatable expressions and simple past-tense phrases, making it an excellent choice for learners to practice talking about memories, relationships, and emotions. Let’s break down a key line from the song:
사랑을 했다 우리가 만나
(sarangeul haetda uriga manna)
We loved, we met
- 사랑을 했다 (sarangeul haetda) – This means “we loved.” The verb 사랑하다 (saranghada), meaning “to love,” is conjugated in the past tense as 했다 (haetda), expressing “we loved.”
- 우리가 만나 (uriga manna) – This means “we met.” 우리 (uri) means “we,” and 만나다 (mannada) is the verb “to meet.”
BIGBANG – 꽃 길 (Flower Road)
Bigbang is a K-Pop group that rose to stardom in the early 2000s. They have a huge fanbase and remain extremely popular. In early 2018, they made a comeback with the single Flower Road. As always, Bigbang produced a solid hit.
This Korean song was produced by two members of the group, G.Dragon and T.O.P. It was written as the last song before their hiatus due to military enlistment.
In the song “Flower Road”, let’s look at these lyrics:
그리워지면 돌아와 줘요
그때 또 다시 날 사랑해줘요
이 꽃 길 따라 잠시 쉬어가다가
그 자리 그곳에서 날 기다려요
Let’s go over the meaning of the first line:
그리워지면 돌아와 줘요
(geuriwojimyeon dorawa jwoyo)
If you miss me, then come back to me
- 그리워 (geuriwo) – This means “ to miss.” It is followed by -지면 (jimyeon), which signifies condition or possibility. It is like saying “if” and also serves as a connector of two clauses.
- 돌아와 (dorawa) – This is from the root word 돌아오다 (doraoda), which means “come back.”
Black Pink – 뚜두뚜두 (Ddu-du ddu-du)
Black Pink debuted in 2016 and was an instant hit, topping sales charts and winning New Artist of the Year at the Seoul Music Awards. They solidified their status as an all-star group with hits throughout 2017.
In 2018, their hit “Ddu-du ddu-du” topped the charts on its release, and the music video garnered over 30 million views in its first 24 hours, becoming the most viewed video by a Korean group in that timeframe.
Let’s take a look at these lyrics from their song “Ddu-du ddu-du”:
두 번 생각해
흔한 남들처럼 착한 척은 못 하니까
착각하지 마
쉽게 웃어주는 건 날 위한 거야
Let’s go over the meaning of the third line:
착각하지 마
(chakgakaji ma)
Don’t be mistaken
- This expression is usually used when you want to correct the belief or perception of a person you are dealing with.
- 착각하다 (chakgakada) – This means “mistake” or “delude oneself.”
- 지 마 (ji ma) – This expression comes from the polite expression 지 마세요 (ji maseyo), which is used to add negation to a request that means “do not.”
Roy Kim – 그때 헤어지면 돼 (Only then)
Roy Kim is a singer-songwriter who debuted through a popular singing competition, Superstar K. He is known to have a unique genre as he utilizes folk, ballad, acoustic, and pop in his music.
This Korean song is about a person who is in a relationship but talks about when they would know to break up. This song was covered by BTS’s Jeon Jungkook. You can see this theme in the following stanza.
Let’s take a look at this stanza from his song “Only then”:
네가 다른 사람이 좋아지면
내가 너 없는 게 익숙해지면
그때가 오면 그때가 되면
그때 헤어지면 돼
Let’s go over the meaning of the first line of the stanza above:
네가 다른 사람이 좋아지면
(nega dareun sarami joajimyeon)
If you like another person
- 좋아지면 (joajimyeon) – This word is made up of 2 words, which are 좋아하다 (joahada) and 지면 (jimyeon). 좋아하다 (joahada) means “like,” and the word 지면 (jimyeon) stands for “if” and serves as a connector.
- 네가 (nega) – This means “you.”
- 다른 사람 (dareun saram) – This means “another person.”
The second line of the stanza has the following meaning:
내가 너 없는 게 익숙해지면
(naega neo eomneun ge iksukaejimyeon)
If I get used to being without you
- 익숙해지면 (iksukaejimyeon) – This comes from the root word 익숙하다 (iksukada), which means “accustomed” or “be used to.” Again, it is added with 지면, which is a connector.
- 내가 (naega) – This means “I” or “me”
- 없는 (eomneun) – This is from the word 없다 (eopda), which means “none” or “nothing.” 는 (neun) is a particle used to designate the main idea, topic, or issue and can be attached to both subject and object.
Let’s take a look at the third and fourth lines of this stanza:
그때가 오면 그때가 되면
(geuttaega omyeon geuttaega doemyeon)
When that time comes, when that happens
그때 헤어지면 돼
(geuttae heeojimyeon dwae)
Then, we can break up
- 그때 (geuttae) – This word in this line is followed by 가 (ga), which can be used to refer to a time in the past or future. In this stanza 그때가 (geuttaega) means “at that time.”
- 오면 (omyeon) and 되면 (doemyeon) – These words are both followed by 면 (myeon), which indicates the possibility of the actions 오다 (oda), 되다 (doeda) and 헤어지다 (he-eojida) to take place.
BtoB – 너 없인 안 된다 (Only One For Me)
BTOB is a K-Pop group known for its superb vocals. The group has been active in the industry since 2012. Besides their vocals, they’re known to be gifted dancers as well. Recently, they made a comeback with the song “Only One For Me.”
This Korean song is about a person who decides to pursue and confess his feelings toward the woman he loves. He wants to express his feelings so he won’t regret them in the future.
Let’s take a look at these lines from their song “Only One For Me”:
너 없인 안 된다 난 너여야 한다
아무리 생각해도 난 결국 너야
Let’s go over the meaning of the first line of the stanza, which is made of 2 phrases.
너 없인 안 된다
(neo eopsin doenda)
I can’t be without you
난 너여야 한다
(nan neoyeoya handa)
I must be with you
- 너 없인 (neo eopsin) – This means “without you.”
- 안 된다 (an doenda) – This is from the word 되다 (doeda), which can mean “be,” and since it is preceded by 안 (an), the phrase literally means “cannot be”.
- 난 너여야 한다 (nan neoyeoya handa) – This means “I must be with you,” where 여야 한다 means “must.”
The next line of this stanza has the following meaning:
아무리 생각해도 난 결국 너야
(amuri saenggakaedo nan gyeolguk neoya)
No matter what I think, in the end, it’s still you.
- 아무리 (amuri) – This word is used to express “no matter how”
- 생각해 (saenggakae) – This comes from the root word 생각하다 (saenggakhada)which means “think”.
- 결국 (gyeolguk) – This means “in the end” or “finally.”
Another line from their song has the following meaning:
평생을 후회하며 살 것 같아
(pyeongsaengeul huhoehamyeo sal geot gata)
I think I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
- 평생 (pyeongsaeng) – This word means “life.”
- 후회하다 (huhoehada) is “to regret”.
- 것 같아 (geot gata) is used to express “seems like” or “to be likely to.”
Hyuna – 빨개요 (Red)
Former Wondergirl and 4Minute singer HyunA’s song 빨개요 (ppalgaeyo) moves away from the sickly-sweet image of her that listeners of her previous hit song “bubble pop” might’ve had.
Although the lyrics 원숭이 엉덩이는 빨개 (wonsungi eongdeongineun ppalgae | a monkey’s butt is red) are the most catchy of the song, you might find that particular phrase a little bit difficult to use in general conversation.
We also don’t recommend saying 혼내줄테니까 엉덩이 대 (honnaejultenikka eongdeongi dae) in public, either!
Here’s a line from her song “Red:”
날 두고 떠나지 마 나 지금 너무나 외롭단 말이야
This line is made up of 2 phrases. Let’s take a look at the meaning of these phrases.
날 두고 떠나지 마
(nal dugo tteonaji ma)
Don’t leave me/ don’t go without me
나 지금 너무나 외롭단 말이야
(na jigeum neomuna oeropdan mariya)
I’m so lonely right now
Many K-pop songs use contractions so that the lyrics fit into the song. For example 나는 (naneun) becomes 난 (nan) and 나를 (nareul) becomes 날 (nal). This is important to look out for as these contractions might not come up straight away in a dictionary.
- 난 (nan) – This word comes from the word 나는 (naneun), which can mean “I” or “me.”
- 두다 (duda) – This word means to put something down or leave something in a place (for example, 책을 책상에 두다 (chaegeul chaeksange duda)would mean to put a book on a desk).
- 떠나다 (tteonada) – This means to leave as in “to depart” (출발하다 | chulbalhada – also has the same meaning and is often used in announcements at airports or train stations instead). So 두고 떠나다 (dugo tteonada)means departing without taking the other thing with you.
- –지마 (–jima) is a shortened way of saying –지 마세요 (–ji maseyo), which means “don’t” in Korean and can be attached to the end of any verb. Often, you will hear 가지마 (gajima | don’t go) in song lyrics instead of 두고 떠나지마 (dugo tteonajima).
For the 2nd part of the line, below is the meaning of the words in it.
- 지금 (jigeum) – This word means “now.”
- 너무나 (neomuna) – This can mean “so” or “too much.”
- 외롭단 (oeropdan) – This comes from the word 외롭다, which means “lonely.”
- 말이야 (mariya) comes from 말 (mal) meaning word or speech. A common expression using it is 무슨 말이야 (museun mariya), meaning (very informally) “What did you say?”. This phrase can be heard often in Korean dramas whenever a character is surprised at the ridiculous situation that is unfolding. Used in this sentence, it is like Hyun-A is saying, “What I’m saying is I’m so lonely right now.”
Sistar – Touch My Body
Let’s take a look at this line from their song “Touch My Body”:
둘이 함께 보는 저 별들
Here’s the meaning of the line:
둘이 함께 보는 저 별들
(duri hamkke boneun jeo byeoldeul)
The stars we are looking at together
- 둘 (dul) – This word means “two” and, in this situation, could be translated as “the two of us”.
- 함께 (hamkke) – This is another word for “together” (as opposed to the more common 같이 | gachi).
- 보는 별들 (boneun byeoldeul) – This means “the stars that are seen / we can see.”
- “A” 하는 것 (“A” haneun geot) is a useful piece of grammar that means “the thing that does ‘A’”. It is used a lot in Korean, for example, “저는 운동하는 남자를 좋아해요 (jeoneun undonghaneun namjareul joahaeyo | I like guys that exercise).”
Another line from their song is:
어느 누구보다 행복해
(eoneu nuguboda haengbokae)
I’m happier than anybody
- 보다 (boda) – This is another useful word. In Korean, to say A is better than B, you can say:
“B보다A(이/가) 더 좋다 (B boda A(i/ga) deo jota)”
As you can see, the word order is different in Korean than in the related Korean expression. In this line, ‘A’ (제가 | jega) has been omitted to make the lyric fit into the song.
Another example of this piece of grammar being used with words omitted is the title of the Korean drama “꽃보다남자 (kkotbodanamja),” which translates to “Boys Over Flowers.” Fans of this drama can use its title to help them remember this piece of grammar and the word order within it.
“Touch my Body” has lots of English in it, and the words 우리 (uri | we/us/our) and 지금 (jigeum | now) come up a lot. It could be quite an easy choice to sing along to for some parts, at least.
Exo – 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)
The wolf (늑대 | neukdae) in this song title is a word often used as slang for a guy who hits on women.
Here’s a part of a line from their song “Wolf”:
큰일 났지
(keunil natji)
He’s in big trouble
- 큰일 (keunil) – This means “problem,” “crisis,” or “trouble.” When it is used, it is usually combined with the verb 나다, meaning “to come out.”
- 나다 (nada) – This verb is used with other words like 열 (yeol | fever) and 화 (hwa | anger) to make 열이 나다 (yeori nada) and 화가 나다 (hwaga nada).
- 났다 (natda) – This is the past tense version of 나다 (nada). Later in the song, this word comes up again in the line ‘널 못 끊겠어, 큰일 났어 (neol mot kkeunkesseo, keunil nasseo)’ meaning ‘I can’t quit you, I’m in big trouble.
Miss A – I Caught Ya
Here’s a line from Miss A’s song “I Caught Ya”:
넌 미안할 자격이 없어요
(neon mianhal jagyeogi eopseoyo)
You have no right to be sorry
- 자격이 있다 (jagyeogi itda) – This is a useful phrase to learn. It means “I deserve” and can be used in many situations, such as at the end of a long day when you can say 맥주를 마실 자격이 있어요 (maekjureul masil jagyeogi isseoyo | I deserve a beer).
- 자격이 없다 (jagyeogi eopda) – This phrase means “don’t deserve.” This is the opposite of 자격이 있다 (jagyeogi itda).
As mentioned before, Kpop lyrics often use Korean in a strange way, and this song is no different, using 요 (yo)when there is no need to be polite to a cheating boyfriend. It also sounds a bit strange when compared to some of the song’s other lyrics, like 시끄러우니까 꺼져 줄래요 (sikkeureounikka kkeojyeo jullaeyo | shut up and get lost please).
4 Minute – 미쳐 (Crazy)
Let’s take a look at the following stanza from 4 Minute’s song “Crazy”:
날 보고 미쳐
(C.R.A.Z.Y) 따라 해
(C.R.A.Z.Y) 모두 다 미쳐
Here’s the meaning of the following lines:
날 보고 미쳐
(nal bogo michyeo)
Look at me and go crazy
C.R.A.Z.Y 따라 해
(C.R.A.Z.Y. ttara hae)
C.R.A.Z.Y. follow me
C.R.A.Z.Y 모두 다 미쳐
(C.R.A.Z.Y modu da michyeo)
C.R.A.Z.Y everybody go crazy
- 고 (go) – This word is used as a way of linking verbs together and means “and” in English. It is used when the two activities are not directly related.
- 서 (seo) – This is used instead of verbs or words that are directly related. For example, 친구를 만나서 놀았어요 (chingureul mannaseo norasseoyo | I met my friends and played). In these particular lyrics, either 서 (seo) or 고 (go) would be acceptable.
- 미치다 (michida | to be crazy) – This is a very popular word in K-pop lyrics.
- The rest of the chorus uses the expression 따라 해 (ttara hae), which means “follow me” or “repeat after me,” as if 4 Minute wants the crowd to shout out C.R.A.Z.Y. You can use this as it is or insert “말 (mal)” to say 따라 말 해 (ttara mal hae) which would have the same meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, we’ll cover the questions that are frequently asked about learning Korean through K-Pop.
Can I learn Korean with K-Pop?
Yes, listening to K-Pop can be a fun and useful way to learn Korean. Here’s why:
- Engaging Language Learning – It’s one way for you to hear Korean in real-life contexts.
- Vocabulary and Listening Skills – K-pop songs frequently use everyday language and expressions that will help you improve your vocabulary and listening proficiency.
- Pronunciation and Retention – It helps you improve your pronunciation and language retention through understanding lyrics and singing along.
However, for a well-rounded understanding of the Korean language, it’s best to complement this with Korean courses that use teaching methods that suit your language needs. You can choose courses that cover grammar lessons and speaking practice.
Do K-pop trainees have to learn Korean?
Yes, K-pop trainees, especially non-native speakers, are required to learn Korean.
Here are some of the reasons:
- Understanding Lyrics – Essential for grasping the content of songs.
- Effective Communication – Needed for interacting with management and other trainees.
- Promotional Activities – Necessary for engaging in activities that demand a good command of the language.
Many entertainment companies provide language training as part of their trainee programs to make sure all trainees, including international ones, can perform effectively in the industry.
Can I learn Korean by watching BTS?
Yes, you can learn Korean by watching BTS. Their music and content can be a useful tool for learning Korean. Here’s why:
- Variety in Language Use – BTS uses both simple and complex Korean in their songs, interviews, and shows.
- Common Phrases and Slang – Fans can learn everyday expressions and slang.
- Cultural Nuances – Insights into cultural aspects are gleaned from their lyrics and dialogues.
However, as with any language learning through media, you should supplement it with structured learning to achieve fluency.
How do idols learn Korean fast?
K-pop idols, especially those from non-Korean backgrounds, often learn Korean quickly due to intensive training programs.
Here’s how they learn fast:
- Immersion – Trainees use Korean daily in various contexts, including singing and everyday conversations.
- Formal Lessons – Structured language classes are a core part of training.
- Mandatory Use – Trainees are often required to use Korean in their interactions, reinforcing their learning.
However, there are other factors that motivate them to learn fast, such as a high-pressure environment and the need to communicate effectively.
Can I audition for K-pop if I don’t know Korean?
Yes, it’s possible to audition for K-pop even if you don’t know Korean. Many entertainment companies welcome international talents.
However, knowing Korean has a lot of benefits.
- Enhanced Success – Knowing Korean can significantly improve your chances in the industry.
- Expectations of Companies – Most companies expect non-Korean trainees to learn the language during their training period.
Being proactive in learning Korean before or during auditions can show your dedication. It also improves your ability to fit into the K-pop industry more seamlessly.
What to learn next
Now that you’ve learned how to use K-Pop songs to learn Korean, here are some other related topics you might enjoy:
- Learn Korean – Find easy ways to start learning Korean, perfect for beginners.
- Kpop Idols – Learn more about your favorite K-Pop idols, their journey, and their impact on global culture.
- Korean Slang – Get to know common Korean slang terms and phrases to sound more like a native Korean speaker.
- Korean Culture – Understand more about Korean traditions and customs often seen in K-Pop and Kdramas.
- Korean Pronunciation – Improve your Korean pronunciation with practical tips and techniques.
Wrap Up
Remember, when you learn Korean with K-Pop, you need to be careful because, as with Korean dramas, the language used isn’t always the most natural way to say something. Now that you know the meaning of the lyrics to these songs, you can practice while listening and try to form your own sentences. You might even get to sing these in Korean karaoke!
What K-pop songs would you like for us to break down for you next? Which songs do you think would be the most useful to use when learning Korean? Which Korean songs do you like best for studying? Or, most importantly, which K-pop groups do you think are the best? Let us know in the comments below!
For more ways to learn Korean, you can explore some apps to help you in your language journey. Best of luck!
Photo Credit: Bigstock.com
A tricky question, hopefully I can keep it appropriately polite!
I’m wondering about some of the common words that can become curse or vulgar terms in speech. I want to understand correct usage so I wouldn’t say or translate incorrectly.
It came up here with 엉덩이, which can also translate as hip or backside. Can I say my hip hurt without swearing? 😀
This reminds me also of the word 새끼.
Is this a context thing, tone of voice or is it about what particle is used? How do we use these words without offending anyone? 고마워요.
Hello! You can say 엉덩이가 아파요 for “my hip hurt”. 새끼 is a term for young animals, it can be used to call a cub, a puppy, a calf, or a baby bird. However, it becomes offensive when it’s used to call a person.
I am a recent fan of both K-Drama and K-Pop. I have become so enamored of both genres that I am learning Korean to be able to really understand them both. Some of my favorite K-Pop soloists/groups are 10cm, Gaho, Yoon Mirae and Heize – and I adore Mido and Fasol from Hospital Playlist. I especially love listening to the soundtracks from all the K-Dramas. The connection of story to music makes both so much more powerful.
Your website has been very helpful to me overall. I learned Hangul in an afternoon on your site, and I refer to your website frequently. You have so much great information there. Chongmal gamsahamnita!
Awesome, thanks for sharing. I’m glad that our website has been helpful to you, Tracy! ^^ If you want to have more Korean lessons, you can check our check our blog and visit our YouTube channel for articles and videos with great Korean content.
Hi Tracy! I’d like to ask if we could have your permission to feature your kind words as a testimonial on our site and in our marketing materials? No worries at all if you’d rather not—we just think your experience could be very encouraging to others. Thanks again for being such a wonderful part of our community! ^^